The marketing efforts underway at Toyota and Honda aren't just about the horse race or bragging rights. They're about keeping these titans of the midsize car segment — both of them just redesigned for the 2018 model year — relevant in a marketplace where crossovers are king.

The list of semifinalists for the 2018 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards has a few surprises: Alfa Romeo is up for two awards, no Detroit 3 brand cars made the cut, Tesla decided not to participate and only three trucks qualified.

Crossovers and SUVs might be where the money is these days, but automakers aren't abandoning hope for sedans. Enter the redesigned and re-engineered 2018 Honda Accord. A roundup of what people are saying about it.

The Honda Accord, like its contemporaries, will have an uphill battle in enticing buyers to choose sedans over other segments. Utility vehicles have virtually eliminated the gap in fuel efficiency, cost and ride quality.